New beginnings at QU

Transfer students must pack all their belongings, attend orientation and experience an entirely new and grueling move-in day for a second time. Transfer students once again adjust to a new way of life.

Transferring colleges is a very complicated decision to make. And as all universities are different, they each have one particular thing about them that sets them apart for each individual. Whether it is the campus’ good looks, the male to female ratio, sports, academics, extracurricular activities, or location, there is something that will cause a student to pack up, leave their residence halls and move on, in this case to Quinnipiac.

Sophomore transfer student Greg DeMarco, joined the Quinnipiac community this fall for its excellence in education, good looks and key location.

“I would say the selling points for me were its great reputation and opportunities in the health fields, its gorgeous campus and the fact that it is only an hour and a half from my house,” said DeMarco, who is an athletic training and physical therapy major.

DeMarco transferred to Quinnipiac from a two year honors program at Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y. and is having no problems with adjusting to life here.

“QU has made me feel extremely welcome since the start of the semester,” DeMarco said. “It is so noticeable how hospitable and caring all the teachers and faculty are in providing transfers with as much help as possible.”

Sophomore spanish major Gina D’Ammassa also transferred to Quinnipiac this fall from Queens College. As soon as she arrived here for a visit she knew this was the place for her.

“The second I stepped foot out of my car, the campus, the cleanliness, the beautification and the overall atmosphere was the selling point,” she said.

DeMarco and D’Ammassa are both currently residing in the Whitney Village apartments. Although the apartments are off campus and about five minutes down the road, not being on campus with the rest of the Quinnipiac community does not seem to be a big problem.

“Meeting people is so much easier than I thought it would be. You just have to be outgoing and knock on peoples doors to introduce yourself and get acclimated,” DeMarco said.

Whitney Village is making transfer students feel at home. With spacious rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, students have not had many complaints about living in the apartments.

“I wasn’t happy about the idea that I would be living off campus because I hated commuting at my previous school and it just seemed I would be doing the same thing,” D’Ammassa said. “But as transfers we are all going through the same thing, and Whitney is a nice place to meet people who are all going through the same thing you are.”

It is apparent that the main issue transfer students have with Whitney Village is the shuttle. Media production major Melissa Lee transferred to QU her sophomore year in 2006. She currently resides in New Village, however like DeMarco and D’AMmassa, her first year at Quinnipiac she was placed in Whitney Village.

“While living in Whitney Village I hated taking the shuttle. It was so hard to meet with people for projects because I had to leave extra early to take the shuttle to campus,” Lee said.

Quinnipiac transfers, even as incoming sophomores or juniors are still first year students at this school and even though they have been forced to live in off campus apartments they are doing just fine. With classes, groups, clubs, sports and intramurals, transfer students are not having any problem settling in and making friends at QU.

“I have made friends in my classes that live on campus. I would say within two to three weeks I already had a close group of friends to hang out with,” DeMarco said.

It is evident that transfer students are enjoying their time here at QU as their feelings of isolation have subsided, friends have been made, and even though a good part of their day is spent waiting for the shuttle, the apartment life in Whitney is well worth it.

“I enjoy living in the apartments because I feel as if it gives off a home atmosphere. I like not having to wear flip flops in my own shower. When I come back to my apartment after classes, I feel as if I’m coming home,” D’Ammassa said.

Being a transfer student can be tough but it does not seem to stop a student in the pursuit of hapiness. By transferring you can make a new best friend, receive a better education and have the “once in a lifetime” college experience.